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Rangers' pending transaction won't involve Rios

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Rios twists ankle on foul ball 2:15

7/19/14: Alex Rios twists his ankle and leaves the game in the first inning after swinging hard on a pitch and fouling it off

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- The Rangers will have to make a roster move on Tuesday to activate pitcher Nick Martinez from the disabled list so he can start against the Yankees. The Rangers currently have 11 active pitchers, including seven relievers, so manager Ron Washington said the club will have to part with a position player.

It won't be outfielder Alex Rios, even though he was out of the lineup on Monday for a second straight game with a sprained right ankle. The Rangers expect Rios to return to the lineup at some point during their four-game series with the Yankees, although it won't be until Wednesday at the earliest.

"I'm walking good, and I did a little running on the treadmill," Rios said. "I don't think this will keep me out long. I think I will be fine. I still have to take a few swings and see if the ankle doesn't get all twisted, but I'm optimistic."

With catcher Geovany Soto back in the lineup, the Rangers may have to make a decision on catcher Chris Gimenez. The club was hoping to keep Gimenez as a right-handed hitter off the bench when Soto came off the DL, but that may not be a luxury it can afford.

The other choices would be outfielders Jake Smolinski, who started at designated hitter on Monday, and Daniel Robertson. Both have options left, as opposed to Gimenez, who would have to clear outright waivers before being sent to the Minors.